NEWS

Gates WWII vet marks 100th birthday

David Riley
@rilzd

Paul Cardinale said he didn't feel a century old as he marked his 100th birthday on Wednesday.

But his son, Daniel, marveled at his dad's life story. During World War II, Cardinale fought with the U.S. Army's 8th Infantry Division in the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, in 1944, and in the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. He also helped to liberate the Wöbbelin concentration camp.

"Let's face it, at 100 years old and with his résumé there, he's sort of a living legend," Daniel Cardinale said.

Gates Supervisor Mark Assini and Todd Baxter, executive director of the Veterans Outreach Center, stopped in at Cardinale's birthday celebration at the Friendly Home in Brighton on Wednesday to honor him.

Assini called Cardinale, who lived in Gates for about 50 years, a "hometown hero" and read him a proclamation from the Town Board. Assini credited Cardinale not only as a decorated soldier, but a longtime volunteer for local nursing homes, a food cupboard and the Gates Republican Party.

"You've given of yourself to your fellow neighbors, who are very proud of you and grateful for all that you've done," said Assini.

Baxter presented Cardinale with a metal American flag to display in his room. Afterward, Cardinale seemed to take all the compliments with a grain of salt.

"The ones that never made it back are the heroes," he said of his fellow soldiers.

But Cardinale's daughter-in-law, Sharon, said it's important to celebrate the dwindling number of World War II veterans who are still alive.

A Rochester native, Cardinale was drafted into the Army in 1941 at the age of 27. After he was honorably discharged in 1945, he served with the Army Reserves for 21 years and attained the rank of master sergeant.

His long list of military honors includes three Bronze Stars, family members said.

Cardinale and his late wife of 68 years, Jean, went on to raise three sons, all of whom joined him Wednesday. He also has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He worked for four decades as an electrical technician for General Railway Signal.

Cardinale described still talking to a sketch of his late wife, who died last year, and of keeping busy taking care of his yard until he moved to the Friendly Home recently.

A century of living hadn't dulled his humor as he offered some advice.

"You've got to be good to one another," he said. "Love thy neighbor, but do not covet thy neighbor's wife."

DRILEY@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/rilzd